BlazeAid raring to go

James Harker-Mortlock (independent candidate for Hume) and partner Fiona Fox (right) catch up with Linda Thane, who's property was deeply affected by the Cobbler Road fire.

Rotary volunteers worked hard to provide a delicious Aussie-style barbecue.

Caroline Spittle and Esme Armour share stories and laughs, as they reconnected during the Bookham barbecue on Monday evening.

Around 120 were at the Bookham Recreational Grounds to meet before BlazeAid begins its work.

Anglican minister Ken Rampling. Yass Police chaplain Judy Heggart and police chaplain for the southern region Steve Nuehaus share a laugh at the Bookham barbecue on Monday evening, which brought together those affected by the recent bushfire.

BlazeAid
has arrived at Bookham and will soon be offering support to fire-stricken
farmers.

In an
attempt to ease the stress local farmers now face as a result of the Cobbler
Road fire, BlazeAid volunteers will offer practical assistance.

In a
spirit of cooperation, the organisation will straddle both Harden and Yass
Valley shires.

The
not-for-profit organisation will focus much of its attention on repairing
fences that were destroyed during the disaster, and they have invited the wider
community to lend a helping hand.

“The
fire should not go from being a huge public issue to a private issue. All
should be concerned with giving these poor, unfortunate people a hand,”
BlazeAid president Kevin Butler told the Tribune.

“It’s
a great way for people to help those who have been dealt natures hand.”

Mr
Butler is expecting up to 1200 BlazeAid volunteers to help out over a three to
six-month period, with some volunteers staying a couple of weeks and some
staying much longer. He estimates there is between $750,000 and $1 million
worth of damage.

On
Monday night around 120 people turned out to Bookham Recreational Grounds for a
community barbecue.

Three
BlazeAid volunteer coordinators also went along to meet farmers and those
involved in recovery efforts.

Dick
Kerrin, DPI rural support worker, explained that the barbecue was funded
through the DPI’s Rural Support Program, supported by Yass Rotary.

“It
was a tremendous community response last night.

“There
was lots of socialising. People were talking about what happened and where they
were going from there.”

He
said there were still people lingering to chat at 9pm that evening, long after
the sun had set.

“My
perspective is that these sort of things help to create a social space where
people can connect and see that there are people willing to help, from various
agencies.”

He
said another community barbecue could be organised by DPI in the future if
warranted.

“We
will respond to the community’s needs. Whether or not we do that again is
dependent on what the community needs.”